Student Profile: Ruben
Graduate, Alternative Teacher Certification Program, UTEP
UTTC: Are you brand new to teaching?
Ruben: No I’ve been teaching and I have wanted this certification for a very long time. I think getting this credential will give me just about every opportunity I could want to teach anywhere I want. This opens up many doors of opportunity for me.
Why did you choose to pursue the online option?
I was looking specifically for online courses because I work, I’m raising a daughter and have a busy life, so I thought it would be the best bet for me. That turned out to be right. I selected the UTTC program from UTEP because they offered what I needed.
What surprised you about the online experience?
I was really surprised by the help I got from my professors, even from a long distance away. I teach at Ft. Stockton and that’s 3.5 hours from the El Paso campus. I was able to get help from my professors very, very quickly. I was always able to get the help I needed so I could perform well in my classes.
Did you create any innovative projects or perform research that was especially interesting for you as part of your studies?
Every day was an interesting day for me at school. Every day there was something new for me to take from these classes that I could apply to my Spanish and my Swimming classes for my students.
I think the experience that helped me most was learning how to get effective lesson plans together. I also got a lot of great ideas for projects that were helpful to me in my classes. The ATCP classes showed me a different way of seeing my students – I don’t view them in a cookie cutter way where they will all learn the same now. In our classes we really come to see their diversity – it’s a prominent part of the program - and that’s been helpful.
How did the online experience benefit you personally?
I have a three year old daughter, parents and a sister living in El Paso. This lets me see them when I need to. My sister is earning her Ph.D. from UTEP. I also have family in San Angelo and West Virginia. When I’m not seeing family or working or studying for class, I’m very much involved in training for triathlons. Swimming, biking and running are the best releases I have! They’re also great rehab from an accident I had two years ago when I broke both of my shoulders!
What would you say was your greatest challenge in completing this program?
I was going to school during the time of a very serious car accident. I had to stop going to school because I was in the hospital for a month, and two of those weeks I was in a coma, so I missed a lot of work during that time. I really appreciate the teachers that I had. They were very understanding of the challenges and problems I faced. My professors were very helpful to me while I was in the hospital. In addition to head injuries, I broke both shoulders. I could barely type afterwards and had difficulty thinking and reading at first. Now I’m fine, but the transition was rough. The online aspect helped immensely, due to the fact that I could take time at home to do my studies. It was a wonderful option.
What advice would you give other working adults getting ready to start learning online?
Be consistent and stay on top of things. You don’t want to be trying to complete assignments at the last minute if you hope to get good grades.
Any advice for faculty teaching online?
I couldn’t add anything to what they’re already doing. They have been the absolute best at helping and supporting me and my fellow students.
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